Destined to be joined? A sample of the new TransLink Compass fare card. The provincial government is suggesting the new B.C. ID could imcorporate the Compass function in the future.Les Bazso Les Bazso
/ Vancouver Sun

Destined to be joined? A sample of the new B.C. ID card, which the government is suggesting could be linked or combined with the functions of other cards, such as TransLink's new Compass card.

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The possibility of linking TransLink’s new Compass card to the province’s new identification card raises significant privacy concerns and the possibility that transit users could be tracked by authorities, say privacy advocates.

The idea of linking or combining the cards is laid out in a B.C. government’s white paper for the new ID card program and in the B.C. Transportation Ministry’s technology plan for 2012-13 to 2014-15.

The technology plan notes the ministry is working with TransLink and other transportation providers to “identify opportunities” to link their card functions with the province’s identity management program or to add new functions.

In a section discussing what it would mean for B.C.’s identity management service to be used by organizations that aren’t part of government, the white paper says the B.C. Services identification card could “replace or augment” bus passes and credit cards, becoming a key part of a digital wallet.

It’s unclear how exactly the cards would be linked or combined, but one possibility is the function of one card would be loaded on the other.

He said that would be possible if personal information is linked to the Compass card, which will be used to tap in and out on card readers on buses, SkyTrain and the SeaBus terminals.

“Of course they sell this as convenience — ‘you won’t have to worry about forgetting your bus pass, you’ll just have this one fabulous card that will do everything for you’,” Gogolek observed Thursday.

Compass cards are scheduled to be launched this fall in conjunction with fare gates at SkyTrain stations and are meant to cut down on fare cheats. TransLink expects to issue 600,000 to 800,000 Compass cards.

TransLink spokesman Derek Zabel said they have had “early” discussion with the province on linking the two cards, but said the transit agency is “strictly” keeping Compass as a transit fare payment card for now.

“We are really interested in just getting our technology together and putting it out the door, but I think the door is open for future possibilities,” he said.

Passengers can charge the Compass card with as little as $10, pay for a monthly pass and link the card to their credit card. Transit users can continue to pay with cash and use individual tickets.

Transportation Ministry officials did not respond to a request Thursday for comment.

In the white paper, the province says it is trying to create new digital services to help British Columbians save time.

Both Gogolek’s group and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association want a halt to the rollout, already well underway, of the province’s new ID card which combines a drivers’s licence and health card.

The groups have raised concerns about the government’s consultation for the ID card because a panel of “randomly-selected” British Columbians, who have until Christmas to deliver a report, cannot recommend the ID card program be stopped.

Gogolek said the concern over adding the functions of the Compass and the ID card is part of a general concern that compiling or linking personal information creates digital personas that are susceptible to identity theft and allows people’s movements to be tracked.

The province’s privacy commissioner has already raised concerns over the new ID card and its intended expanding uses, including flagging the need for greater encryption of digital personal information of British Columbians held and used by the government.

The B.C. government’s intention is that as the identity program develops, other government services will be accessed online and in person using the card.

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